Love God First – The Anchor of Our Lives

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” – Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV)

What does it really mean to love God first? Not casually. Not conditionally. But with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. That’s what Jesus called the greatest commandment. It’s not a suggestion, and it’s not reserved for Sunday mornings or when life feels good. It's a divine invitation into a love so complete that it changes how we live, how we love others, and how we see ourselves.

All Means All

Let’s start there. Jesus didn’t say “love God with most of your heart” or “when you feel like it.” He said all. That’s total surrender. It’s not just about our words or even our actions—it’s about aligning every part of our being to reflect God's love. Your heart—your desires, your emotions, your intentions. Your soul—your identity, your breath, your life’s essence. Your mind—your thoughts, decisions, and beliefs. Every part of us, yielded in love to the One who made us.

Love Begins with Surrender

Before we can love God like that, we must first surrender. That word gets a bad reputation sometimes. To the world, surrender might mean giving up or losing control—but in the Kingdom, surrender means choosing to trust the One who created you. It’s saying, “God, you know me better than I know myself. You know what’s best for me. Lead me.”

True love for God grows in the soil of surrendered hearts. It's not a love of obligation; it's the kind that flows from awe and gratitude. When we remember the grace we’ve received, how can we not fall in love with the Giver?

Letting God Lead

When we choose to put God first—really first—He becomes our compass. And let me be honest, it’s not always easy. The world pulls us in a hundred directions. Culture tells us to prioritize success, money, recognition, or even relationships. But Jesus is saying, "Put Me first. Let Me lead, and everything else will align."

Matthew 6:33 echoes this promise: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Placing God at the center reorders the chaos in our lives. Decisions become clearer. Peace replaces anxiety. Purpose overtakes confusion. It’s not that life gets easier—but it definitely gets more meaningful.

Rooted in His Love

When we love God first, we become rooted—secure. We begin to live from a place of stability rather than striving. God’s love becomes the foundation that carries us through every season. When storms hit, we don’t collapse—we stand. Why? Because our identity, our joy, our hope isn’t built on shaky ground, it’s built on Christ.

Ephesians 3:17-18 reminds us that being “rooted and grounded in love” allows us to comprehend the depth of God’s love. That love isn’t just for our comfort—it’s our calling. From that place of divine love, we learn how to love others well. We become salt and light, not by striving, but by overflowing.

Walking in Purpose

Here’s the beautiful part: when you love God first, you begin to walk in your purpose. We often search for meaning in accomplishments, accolades, or approval—but God says, “Come close to Me, and I will show you who you really are.”

Your purpose doesn’t begin with a title or a task—it begins with a relationship. When you love God with all that you are, He begins to unfold your path. And even when the path feels uncertain, you walk with confidence because you’re following the One who goes before you.

A Daily Choice

Loving God first isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily one. Every morning when your feet hit the floor, it’s a choice: Will I love God with everything today? Will I surrender my plans, my fears, my desires to Him? Will I trust that His way is better, even when I don’t understand it?

It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Final Encouragement

Friend, loving God first is the most powerful, freeing, and transformative decision you’ll ever make. It’s not just about duty—it’s about relationship. He’s not asking for perfection; He’s asking for your heart.

So today, take a moment and ask: Am I loving God first? If not, don’t run from Him—run to Him. His arms are always open. Start right where you are.

And remember: When you put God first, everything else begins to line up.

Be blessed.